Questions about H-D drivetrain
Eric
I've heard that Harley has a transmission that isn't built into the
engine block. Is this true?
If so, is the clutch part of the engine or part of the transmission?
How much torque and horsepower can a stock Harley transmission
handle?
Are there aftermarket transmissions that can handle more? How much and
who makes them?
Eric
Spunky the Tuna
> I'm a newbie when it comes to bikes.
>
> I've heard that Harley has a transmission that isn't built into the
> engine block. Is this true?
It's the engine case. For big twins yes, for sportsters and V-Rods no.
> If so, is the clutch part of the engine or part of the transmission?
The clutch is attached to the input shaft of the tranny. Except for
cars with front engines and rear transaxles, that's the only way I've
ever seen clutches.
>
> How much torque and horsepower can a stock Harley transmission
> handle?
Depends on how it's applied. Wound to the torque peak and dropped
clutch? Not a whole lot before the gears do a pretty good approximation
of climbing over one another. Applied in a realistic manner on the
street? Way more than a Harley engine will make.
> Are there aftermarket transmissions that can handle more? How much and
> who makes them?
Yes. How much do you think you're really going to make with a pushrod
V-Twin? Go thee hence and google Baker Transmissions. Bring cubic money.
--
spunky the tuna
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unthinking machines it doesn't matter in the least whether you smoke
or not.
nobody #1
> Eric wrote:
>> I'm a newbie when it comes to bikes.
>>
>> I've heard that Harley has a transmission that isn't built into the
>> engine block. Is this true?
>
> It's the engine case. For big twins yes, for sportsters and V-Rods no.
>
>> If so, is the clutch part of the engine or part of the transmission?
>
> The clutch is attached to the input shaft of the tranny. Except for
> cars with front engines and rear transaxles, that's the only way I've
> ever seen clutches.
>
>>
>> How much torque and horsepower can a stock Harley transmission
>> handle?
>
> Depends on how it's applied. Wound to the torque peak and dropped
> clutch? Not a whole lot before the gears do a pretty good approximation
> of climbing over one another. Applied in a realistic manner on the
> street? Way more than a Harley engine will make.
>
>> Are there aftermarket transmissions that can handle more? How much and
>> who makes them?
>
> Yes. How much do you think you're really going to make with a pushrod
> V-Twin? Go thee hence and google Baker Transmissions. Bring cubic money.
>
The NHRA V-Rods and Buells seem to make plenty. They're all v-twins
with pushrods.
nobody #1
Eric
I'm not thrilled with the choices of rear wheel widths I have
available. I've been told Harley rears can be obtained in widths up to
300mm, which would be nice for traction. The problem is Harleys are
way out of my price range for donor vehicles.
I'm thinking about using a Mazda rotary for power and chain driving
the Harley transmission. Should be great. It has a max 8000rpm and
low weight to horsepower ratio, like a motorcycle. It's water cooled,
so I can cobble up a heating system for the cold days. And if fuel
prices get crazy again, I can scrounge up a small diesel and install
it the same way and catalyze biodiesel for it. I just want to be sure
the tranny can take the power. A first or second generation RX-7 had
engines that put out between 100 and 200hp depending on configuration.
Third gens have 250-280 but it's unlikely I'd use one. I'm thinking
the low end, so 100hp and 100ft-lbs torque.
So am I understanding, big twin transmissions are seperate and
sportster and v-rods the transmission is part of the engine case?
Eric
nobody #1
> Well, I'm planning on building a three wheel bike, 2F1R configuration.
> I'm not thrilled with the choices of rear wheel widths I have
> available. I've been told Harley rears can be obtained in widths up to
> 300mm, which would be nice for traction. The problem is Harleys are
> way out of my price range for donor vehicles.
>
> I'm thinking about using a Mazda rotary for power and chain driving
> the Harley transmission. Should be great. It has a max 8000rpm and
> low weight to horsepower ratio, like a motorcycle. It's water cooled,
> so I can cobble up a heating system for the cold days. And if fuel
> prices get crazy again, I can scrounge up a small diesel and install
> it the same way and catalyze biodiesel for it. I just want to be sure
> the tranny can take the power. A first or second generation RX-7 had
> engines that put out between 100 and 200hp depending on configuration.
> Third gens have 250-280 but it's unlikely I'd use one. I'm thinking
> the low end, so 100hp and 100ft-lbs torque.
>
> So am I understanding, big twin transmissions are seperate and
> sportster and v-rods the transmission is part of the engine case?
>
>
> Eric
>
>
300mm?
Newt
nobody #1
Not the NHRA V-Rods, they have pushrods in them. That's the only way
they get to run the big cubes they run.
nobody #1
Newt
nobody #1
I guess a better question would be *how do they get away with calling
them Harleys"? I guess the same way John Force gets away with calling
his car a Mustang. Oh yeah iirr the NHRA V-Rod has pushrods that are
about 4" long. I've got some pictures of those engines if I run across
them I'll post them across the street.
nobody #1
45...@mydaja.com
<newyorkc...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>Well, I'm planning on building a three wheel bike, 2F1R configuration.
>I'm not thrilled with the choices of rear wheel widths I have
>available. I've been told Harley rears can be obtained in widths up to
>300mm, which would be nice for traction. The problem is Harleys are
>way out of my price range for donor vehicles.
VW???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBWQo5cRd6s
sn...@trippin.com
<newyorkc...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>Well, I'm planning on building a three wheel bike, 2F1R configuration.
>I'm not thrilled with the choices of rear wheel widths I have
>available. I've been told Harley rears can be obtained in widths up to
>300mm, which would be nice for traction. The problem is Harleys are
>way out of my price range for donor vehicles.
I was wonderin' what you were gonna use it for.
>I'm thinking about using a Mazda rotary for power and chain driving
>the Harley transmission. Should be great. It has a max 8000rpm and
>low weight to horsepower ratio, like a motorcycle. It's water cooled,
>so I can cobble up a heating system for the cold days. And if fuel
>prices get crazy again, I can scrounge up a small diesel and install
>it the same way and catalyze biodiesel for it. I just want to be sure
>the tranny can take the power. A first or second generation RX-7 had
>engines that put out between 100 and 200hp depending on configuration.
>Third gens have 250-280 but it's unlikely I'd use one. I'm thinking
>the low end, so 100hp and 100ft-lbs torque.
What about reverse? Th' old H-D trikes used a 3 speed w/reverse
tranny. Prolly not real easy to find tho.
>So am I understanding, big twin transmissions are seperate and
>sportster and v-rods the transmission is part of the engine case?
Correct.
Snarl
Eric
with tipping over. That's why they went from 3wheeled ATC to 4
wheeled ATVs.
Something along the lines of this.
http://www.prismz.com/xzilarator/
I'm planning on using using a sandrail instead of building a custom
frame. There's always plenty available that people have half built,
lost interest in and have to get rid of.
Eric
> What about reverse? Th' old H-D trikes used a 3 speed w/reverse
> tranny. Prolly not real easy to find tho.
I'm thinking of just putting a jackshaft between the transmission and
drivewheel. Hook up a high torque motor to the shaft, geared way down.
Have momentary contact switch on the shifter to turn it on and off.
Use one of those trick protected toggle switches they use on aircraft.
45...@mydaja.com
<newyorkc...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>No, something in a F2R1 configuration not a F1R2. Trikes have problems
>with tipping over. That's why they went from 3wheeled ATC to 4
>wheeled ATVs.
>
>Something along the lines of this.
>
>http://www.prismz.com/xzilarator/
>
Looks like a fun machine. Reminds me of our old rail buggy
Back in the day, rail buggies were, ( And still are) legal in NC. No
one really runs them much anymore.